Alexis Valerio and Frank Davis laugh with Rev. Lura Groen as they exchange rings during their wedding at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Alexis Valerio and Frank Davis laugh with Rev. Lura Groen as they exchange rings during their wedding at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, By Lisa Krantz, Express-News

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Alexis Valerio and Frank Davis share their "first dance" during their wedding reception at The Montrose Center in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Alexis Valerio and Frank Davis share their "first dance" during their wedding reception at The Montrose Center in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, By Lisa Krantz, Express-News

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Alexis Valerio walks with Chris Wilson, a man who was like a father to her since she was in high school and came out as gay in San Antonio, while Frank O'Connor, 10, left, and Samuel Guzman, 6, carry her 12-foot-train, as she walks to enter the church to marry Frank Davis at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014. less

Alexis Valerio walks with Chris Wilson, a man who was like a father to her since she was in high school and came out as gay in San Antonio, while Frank O'Connor, 10, left, and Samuel Guzman, 6, carry her ... more

Photo: Lisa Krantz, By Lisa Krantz, Express-News

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Wilmer Ortega puts a blue garter on Alexis Valerio's leg before her wedding at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Wilmer Ortega puts a blue garter on Alexis Valerio's leg before her wedding at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, By Lisa Krantz, Express-News

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Bridesmaid Monique Torres watches as Wilmer Ortega does Alexis Valerio's makeup before her wedding at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Bridesmaid Monique Torres watches as Wilmer Ortega does Alexis Valerio's makeup before her wedding at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, By Lisa Krantz, Express-News

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Wilmer Ortega, of Dallas, helps Alexis Valerio get ready for her wedding to Frank Davis at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Wilmer Ortega, of Dallas, helps Alexis Valerio get ready for her wedding to Frank Davis at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, By Lisa Krantz, Express-News

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Alexis Valerio is filmed while Wilmer Ortega puts on her shoes as she gets ready for her wedding to Frank Davis at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Alexis Valerio is filmed while Wilmer Ortega puts on her shoes as she gets ready for her wedding to Frank Davis at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, By Lisa Krantz, Express-News

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Alexis Valerio talks with her ring bearer, Nathan Guzman, 6, from left, and the children who carried her 12-foot long train, Samuel Guzman, 6, Abigail Guzman, 8, and Frank O'Connor, 10, before her wedding to Frank Davis at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014. less

Alexis Valerio talks with her ring bearer, Nathan Guzman, 6, from left, and the children who carried her 12-foot long train, Samuel Guzman, 6, Abigail Guzman, 8, and Frank O'Connor, 10, before her wedding to ... more

Photo: Lisa Krantz, By Lisa Krantz, Express-News

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Eddie Soto, left, and Wilmer Ortega, both of Dallas, help Alexis Valerio get ready for her wedding to Frank Davis at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Eddie Soto, left, and Wilmer Ortega, both of Dallas, help Alexis Valerio get ready for her wedding to Frank Davis at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, By Lisa Krantz, Express-News

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Alexis Valerio wipes a tear as "From This Moment" is sung during her wedding to Frank Davis, right, at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Alexis Valerio wipes a tear as "From This Moment" is sung during her wedding to Frank Davis, right, at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, By Lisa Krantz, Express-News

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Alexis Valerio embraces her husband, Frank Davis, after their wedding at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014. Valerio, a San Antonio native, is also known by her female impersonation stage name, Alexis Nicole Whitney.

Alexis Valerio embraces her husband, Frank Davis, after their wedding at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014. Valerio, a San Antonio native, is also known by her female impersonation

Alexis Valerio and her husband, Frank Davis, embrace Valerio's friend since pre-kindergarten, bridesmaid Kenesha Brown, of San Antonio, after their wedding at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014. less

Alexis Valerio and her husband, Frank Davis, embrace Valerio's friend since pre-kindergarten, bridesmaid Kenesha Brown, of San Antonio, after their wedding at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July ... more

Photo: Lisa Krantz, By Lisa Krantz, Express-News

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Rev. Lura Groen gives communion to guests including Chris Wilson during the wedding of Alexis Valerio, right, and Frank Davis at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Rev. Lura Groen gives communion to guests including Chris Wilson during the wedding of Alexis Valerio, right, and Frank Davis at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, By Lisa Krantz, Express-News

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Alexis Valerio and Frank Davis walk out of the church after their wedding at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014. Holding her 12-foot train are Samuel Guzman, 6, and Frank O'Connor, 10, right. less

Alexis Valerio and Frank Davis walk out of the church after their wedding at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014. Holding her 12-foot train are Samuel Guzman, 6, and Frank O'Connor, 10, ... more

Photo: Lisa Krantz, By Lisa Krantz, Express-News

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Alexis Valerio and Frank Davis walk down the aisle at the conclusion of their wedding at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Alexis Valerio and Frank Davis walk down the aisle at the conclusion of their wedding at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, By Lisa Krantz, Express-News

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Alexis Valerio and Frank Davis kiss after they were pronounced man and wife during their wedding at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Alexis Valerio and Frank Davis kiss after they were pronounced man and wife during their wedding at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, By Lisa Krantz, Express-News

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Alexis Valerio and Frank Davis walk down the aisle at the conclusion of their wedding at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Alexis Valerio and Frank Davis walk down the aisle at the conclusion of their wedding at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, By Lisa Krantz, Express-News

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Alexis Valerio and Frank Davis have the symbolic lasso placed around them to join them during their wedding at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Alexis Valerio and Frank Davis have the symbolic lasso placed around them to join them during their wedding at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, By Lisa Krantz, Express-News

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With the bridal party on both sides, Alexis Valerio and Frank Davis share their "first dance" during their wedding reception at The Montrose Center in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014. The couple had 15 bridesmaids and groomsmen. less

With the bridal party on both sides, Alexis Valerio and Frank Davis share their "first dance" during their wedding reception at The Montrose Center in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014. The couple had 15 ... more

Photo: Lisa Krantz, By Lisa Krantz, Express-News

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Frank Davis shows off the garter after getting it off Alexis Valerio's leg during their wedding reception at The Montrose Center in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Frank Davis shows off the garter after getting it off Alexis Valerio's leg during their wedding reception at The Montrose Center in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, By Lisa Krantz, Express-News

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Unmarried guests wait for Alexis Valerio to throw her bouquet during her wedding reception at The Montrose Center in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Unmarried guests wait for Alexis Valerio to throw her bouquet during her wedding reception at The Montrose Center in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, By Lisa Krantz, Express-News

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Alexis Valerio and Frank Davis talk after their wedding as bridesmaid Anny Conda, right, of San Antonio, walks to give them a hug at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Alexis Valerio and Frank Davis talk after their wedding as bridesmaid Anny Conda, right, of San Antonio, walks to give them a hug at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, By Lisa Krantz, Express-News

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Frank Davis describes the cake table in detail to his visually impaired wife, Alexis Valerio, upon arrival at their wedding reception at The Montrose Center in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Frank Davis describes the cake table in detail to his visually impaired wife, Alexis Valerio, upon arrival at their wedding reception at The Montrose Center in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, By Lisa Krantz, Express-News

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Alexis Valerio and her husband, Frank Davis, sit at the head table upon their arrival at their wedding reception at The Montrose Center in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Alexis Valerio and her husband, Frank Davis, sit at the head table upon their arrival at their wedding reception at The Montrose Center in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, By Lisa Krantz, Express-News

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Alexis Valerio and Frank Davis leave the church after their wedding at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Alexis Valerio and Frank Davis leave the church after their wedding at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston on Saturday, July 19, 2014.

Photo: Lisa Krantz, By Lisa Krantz, Express-News

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S.A. transgender woman gets a dream wedding

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HOUSTON — When San Antonio native Alexis Valerio, also known as visually impaired female impersonator Alexis Nicole Whitney, walked down the aisle to her groom on Saturday, she held the arm of Chris Wilson, a man she looks up to as a father.

“This is the person that really, really helped me when I was coming out,” says Valerio, a transgender woman, of her time as a high school student in San Antonio.

A regular entertainer on the Texas female impersonation and pageant circuit for almost 20 years, Valerio now lives in Houston, where she met her groom, Frank Davis.

“Half the weddings are gay marriage,” the Rev. Lura Groen, the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Houston's Montrose neighborhood, says of the weddings she presides over. “The other half are straight couples that want to only be married in a church that does gay weddings.” Groen adds, “Grace Lutheran embraces people of all gender identities. To us that is a reason to celebrate and it shows more of how we are made in the image of God.”

Fifteen bridesmaids and groomsmen stood up with the couple as they said traditional wedding vows.

“This was one of my dreams since I was a little girl,” Valerio said. “It's been what I always dreamed of and wanted.”